Story by Owen Mandovha, Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE is hosting energy regulators from the Southern African region aimed at promoting a conducive regulatory environment that harnesses cooperation in energy generation in the region.
The discussions are being convened under the Regional Energy Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA), a body mandated to coordinate and harmonise energy sector regulation across the SADC region to pave the way for energy self-sufficiency.
The five-day summit, hosted by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), brings together energy regulatory bodies from the region to strengthen collaboration and explore mechanisms to achieve energy security through regulatory alignment.
Speaking during the opening session, Interim Executive Director of RERA, Mr Francios Robinson emphasised the organisation’s focus on boosting investment in renewable energy through consistent policy frameworks and tariff structures.
“Energy independence for the region is a huge priority. Our current efforts are centred around harmonising economic tariffs to create an enabling environment for independent power producers, particularly in the renewable energy sector. We are also collaborating with the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) to improve cross-border energy sharing, which is critical to regional industrialisation,” he said.
The convening of regional regulators in Zimbabwe reflects growing urgency within SADC to address energy deficits that have constrained industrial development and economic growth in several member states.
The meetings are expected to produce resolutions that will guide future policy directions, encourage public-private partnerships, and enhance the region’s capacity to mobilise investment for clean energy solutions.
The RERA platform is seen as key to facilitating a united regional approach to energy, one that is essential for achieving SADC’s industrialisation agenda.
